MLB Player News

Atlanta is expected to activate Minter (hip) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While making his third rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Minter tossed a scoreless inning. Assuming his left hip is feeling fine coming out of the minor-league outing, he should join Atlanta for the start of its three-game series versus the Giants. Daysbel Hernandez was optioned to Gwinnett following Atlanta's 4-2 loss to the Pirates on Sunday, creating an opening in the bullpen for Minter.

Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

Hernandez was called up June 17, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out nine batters over six appearances out of Atlanta's bullpen. The right-hander will now head back to Gwinnett, but he'll likely get another shot with the big-league club down the road this season.

Castro (shoulder) made his second rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday, striking out four and allowing one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings.

Castro was placed on the Diamondbacks' 15-day injured list April 23 with right shoulder inflammation but looks to be closing in on a return after turning in a pair of scoreless appearances in the ACL. According to MLB.com, manager Torey Lovullo previously said that the Diamondbacks are targeting this upcoming Wednesday for Castro's return from the IL, but that date could be pushed back if the organization first wants him to get in some work with a higher-level affiliate.

Chapman gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning but still managed to pick up his third save Sunday against Atlanta.

Chapman came in with a three-run lead in the ninth and worked in and out of trouble to grab his second save in his last four appearances. The veteran has taken over the Pirates' ninth-inning role since losing closer David Bednar to an oblique injury June 19th. There is still no timetable for Bednar's return, so Chapman is likely looking at a few more save opportunities in the meantime.

The Giants designated Howard for assignment Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander surrendered six runs over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Dodgers and has now lost his place on the Giants' 26-man active roster and 40-man roster. Howard has struggled to a 5.63 ERA and 21:11 K:BB over 24 frames in the big leagues this season.

Roupp (undisclosed) was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old was on the injured list at Triple-A Sacramento with an unspecified injury, but he'll join the Giants after making three rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Roupp has a 5.27 ERA and 12:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings for San Francisco this season. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Roupp is expected to cover about three innings behind opening pitcher Spencer Bivens against the Dodgers on Sunday.

Hjelle (3-2) allowed eight runs (six earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out one over two innings to take the extra-innings loss versus the Dodgers on Saturday.

Hjelle allowed a run in the 10th inning, but the Giants couldn't do anything more than pull even in their half of the frame. The Dodgers took over in the 11th, and Hjelle was left to take it on the chin, as he was seventh pitcher they used in the contest ahead of another likely bullpen game Sunday. Given the situation and opponent, it's understandable, but the poor outing still inflated Hjelle's ERA from 2.33 to 3.54. He's added a 1.03 WHIP and 40:6 K:BB with three holds over 40.2 innings as a multi-inning reliever this year.

Howard allowed six runs on six hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Saturday.

Howard followed opener Erik Miller, though the Giants had the former enter the game in the second inning instead of waiting until the middle of the contest as they had in his previous two outings. Howard's had mixed results at best, with Saturday being his worst appearance of the campaign. He's at a 5.63 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB through 24 innings across seven outings (two starts). With Kyle Harrison (ankle) likely back next week and Blake Snell (groin) returning around mid-July, Howard's running out of time to make a positive impression. His chance of remaining a de facto member of the rotation will get slimmer if Hayden Birdsong turns in a strong performance in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Bivins will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander has made five appearances since he received his first call-up to the majors in mid-June, and he'll make his first big-league start Sunday versus Los Angeles. Bivens last pitched Thursday versus the Cubs and covered one inning, and he's topped out at 49 pitches since joining the Giants. He should be able to provide some length but likely won't handle a full starter's workload. Slusser suggests that Landen Roupp -- whom the Giants called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday -- will likely work multiple innings in relief behind Bivens.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

The 24-year-old was called up Friday and made his MLB debut Saturday versus Cincinnati, and he pitched well in long relief with just one run allowed across 4.1 innings. Graceffo won't be available for a few days following that appearance, so Jacob Bosiokovic will come up as a fresh bullpen arm.